Regarding the "What is it?" question, I suspect it is an experimental Strathearn from the last couple of years of the paperweight production. But unfortunately there was too much cane movement to make it a really good one.

I disagree with the seller's description: "... has some light scuffing ... this does not obscure the contents." If I can't see the details of the canes, then as far as I am concerned, the surface is heavily worn. But it's still an academically interesting item.